Experts Demand Criminal Prosecution for Unruly Passengers, Insist Leniency Undermines NCAA’s Authority and Endangers Flights

Aviation industry experts and stakeholders today, Friday, November 21, 2025, mounted a fresh demand for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Police to impose and enforce significantly stronger punishments for flight disruptions, particularly those caused by unruly passengers.

The demand comes in the wake of a highly publicized incident earlier this week where an in-flight brawl involving social media personalities, Mr. Jollof and Verydarkman, delayed a domestic flight. The ensuing controversy heightened when United Nigeria Airlines accepted public apologies from the duo, choosing to forgo immediate legal action.

Industry analyst Olumide Ohunayo sharply criticized the decision, arguing that it sends the wrong signal regarding aviation safety. “When you keep giving a slap on the wrist, at what point will you draw the line?” Ohunayo questioned.

Enforcement Must Come From the Regulator

Retired Group Captain John Ojikuti strongly condemned the airline’s action, stressing that it usurps the role of the government regulator and law enforcement.

“Is the airline the enforcer of NCAA regulations? The NCAA has the power to investigate and hand culprits over to the police after they have been found guilty. Those who fought in the aircraft should be handed over to the police. Forgiving such behaviour should not be the duty of an airline,” Ojikuti asserted.

The experts emphasized that current regulations, enshrined in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, already prohibit unruly behaviour. For instance, assault on a crew member is liable to a minimum fine of ₦200,000 or at least two months imprisonment. However, inconsistent enforcement has created a culture where offenders, particularly high-profile individuals, often face minimal consequences.

Stakeholders are now pushing for the establishment of a mandatory national no-fly list and the use of civil penalty regimes that include on-the-spot fines for minor offenses, ensuring that the integrity of air travel safety and security is never compromised for the sake of corporate discretion or public sentiment.